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We wanted to update you on a few new action items for safer streets but first, a reminder about our petition campaign! We want to show city officials that people throughout Cambridge support a safe, connected network of protected bike lanes. Sign the petition here if you haven’t already and share widely!

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1. Act Now for a Protected Lane on River Street – and an Implementation Plan for the Citywide Network

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This Monday, there are two key bike related items on the Council’s agenda.

First, the City Manager is requesting funds to update the implementation plan of the bike network (see the second ask on our petition!) Additionally, there is also a request for a protected bike lane on River Street. Take action, more details below.

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ACTION ? Email council@cambridgema.gov, ldepasquale@cambridgema.gov, and cc clerk@cambridgema.gov and info@cambridgebikesafety.org and (1) request the council to approve the budget allocation for an implementation plan for the citywide bike network, and (2) let them know that the reconstruction of River Street MUST include a safe, protected bike lane.

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If you can make it please show up on Monday Nov 5, 5:30pm at City Hall to speak in support of the budget item and policy order. Sign up to speak here or in person.

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The implementation plan for a citywide bike network is potentially quite important, as this could provide a blueprint for implementation of the full bike network within 5 years, as our petition requests. We need to make sure that the council approves this budget item, and that the implementation plan the City comes back with lays out how a complete, safe, connected network of protected bike lanes across the city can be built ASAP.

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The city is rebuilding River Street in 2020 and they have the opportunity to include a protected bike lane. Since River Street goes inbound it would complement the Western Ave protected lane, providing a key connection to and from the Charles River paths.

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On Monday November 5th the City Council will vote on a policy order specifically requesting a protected bike lane as part of the River Street reconstruction. The order was originally scheduled for this week but it was delayed by Councilor Simmons.

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Also, as part of the redesign, they will be forming a working group of stakeholders and thank you to everyone who applied to help advocate for safe bike and pedestrian infrastructure!

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2. Ask your employer to sign on to our business platform

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Local business support can be crucial in getting safe bike infrastructure built. Many employers recognize that a protected bike lane network would be a great asset to Cambridge as well as providing safe transportation for their customers and employees. All we need to do is ask for their support!

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If you work in Cambridge, see here for instructions to ask your employer to sign onto our business platform supporting safe bike infrastructure.

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3. Other updates:

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Read the beautiful remembrance written by friends of JJ Zhao who was tragically struck and killed by a dump truck driver in early October while she was walking at Putnam Ave and Magazine St.

World Day of Remembrance: This Nov 18 is the World Day of Remembrance. Come to the State House in Boston at 2pm to mourn the people who were killed on our streets this year. Last year’s event was a powerful reminder that the number of pedestrians and cyclists who were killed is much higher than you expect and that urgent action is needed to correct this public health crisis. After the vigil there will be a bike ride and a march to demand safer streets.

In addition to signing onto our business platform, two local businesses Industry Lab and Synapse Energy Economics also took the additional crucial step of emailing the city to express how important a protected bike lane network is to them (read Synapse Energy Economics’ statement here). Thanks Industry Lab and Synapse Energy Economics for supporting safe bike infrastructure!

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Industry Lab is a co-working space located in the vibrant hub of Inman Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Inhabiting nearly 20,000 square feet of a historical brick building with wood floors and lots of windows, Industry Lab is a neighborhood for artists, engineers, scientists, and designers to co-exist and collaborate.

MADISON, Wis. (BRAIN) —The PeopleForBikes Coalition board of directors held their biannual here this week, where it approved eight new Community Grants for bike projects. The board also welcomed a new member, Chad Price of Specialized

HOOD RIVER, Ore. (BRAIN) — Dakine has appointed Gabe Schroder to the role of mountain bike marketing manager. Schroder managed the ski and bike marketing programs at Smith for ten years. “Gabe brings a tremendous wealth of experience and energy to our team, and we’re excited for him to join our efforts in growing Dakine’s presence in the MTB community,” said Shawn La Rowe, Dakine’s vice president of product and marketing. Schroder will report directly to La Rowe remotely from Ketchum, Idaho

BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) – PeopleForBikes has announced its latest round of community grants. Two of the grants were done in conjunction with the International Mountain Bicycling Association: Theodore Wirth Park Mountain Biking Event Trails (Minneapolis): The Loppet Foundation will use this $10,000 grant to add 3.5 miles of trail, a dual slalom course, a skills training area and a pump track to the existing facilities at this Twin Cities park. This project will support existing youth programs and provide a more accessible venue for the local high school mountain bike league.

Californian-based helmet company Bell has launched a women’s mountain biking ambassador scheme with a view to encouraging and developing the sport in new locations via burgeoning scenes across the US.

Joy Ride is Bell’s name for its women’s-specific products, and more widely for its efforts to increase female participation in cycling, with a focus on mountain biking.

Bell is one of the main cycling brands putting money where its mouth is when it comes to supporting women’s cycling, both in terms of product development and grassroots support. The women’s Joy Ride helmet collection encompasses eight products across road, mountain bike and commuter cycling, and was developed after extensive research and feedback.

Earlier in 2015, Bell announced its intention to develop a women’s ambassador scheme to encourage women’s mountain biking in new locations across the US. More than 200 women applied, and the company has just announced the names of the successful six who’ll be taking up those roles.

These Joy Ride Ambassadors will be tasked with running monthly women’s mountain bike rides in their areas, and helping develop participation and engagement. BikeRadar understands Bell may extend the scheme internationally through local distributors if this first, US rollout proves a success.

KETCHUM, Idaho (BRAIN) — A group of bicycle advocates will mountain bike in central Idaho for four days starting Wednesday as part of a campaign to have an area declared a national monument — rather than a national wilderness area, which would close it to mountain biking. The event is being organized by IMBA, with representatives from the Sierra Club and the Outdoor Alliance participating. Executives from bike brands including Niner Bikes and Bell Helmets also are participating.? Idaho’s U.S